Chapter 9

Felicia's straightforward words manage to stun you for a pair of seconds. Of course we fucking need to go look for Charlotte right now... but it isn't that simple, it never is... You look at her face in silence for a small pair of seconds, trying to hide the bitter gruffness plastered into your expression and thinking about what would be the most protocol-friendly thing to answer in this situation... "Princess, I know how you must be feeling, but you need to-"

"Oh, don't give me that, Arthur." The young woman sternly interrupts you, thin eyebrows furrowing. "Call me by my name. And say what you really want to say, not that protocolar bullshit you are **** to follow so you don't offend royalty." She spitefully grunts. Alright then...

"Felicia." You deeply sigh. "If it was my choice, I would have already gathered a bunch of men and we would be out there doing everything we can to find your sister. We would leave no stone unturned until she is back and safe... But I can't do anything now. Not with the fucking city locked down. Honestly, if you want my opinion, I think your father is a pathetic piece of..." You talk, anger crescendo with every word that exits your mouth until you have to strongly bite your tongue to prevent saying something that can get you executed. "...My apologies."

Charlotte's older sister silently listens to your rant, her frown unwinding into a neutral expression. She looks pleased by your answer... Keeping her hands clasped on her back, she slowly walks across the room until stopping in front of the open window, looking at the empty streets of the Capital city outside as she resumes to speak. "My father is an idiot and a coward. And I'm not letting my little sister die for his incompetence." The girl huffs, blinking repeatedly and successfully managing to hold back the tears building up in the corners of her eyes. "...Besides, what he fails to realize is how much of a liking our people took to Charlotte, when everyone finds out exactly what happened to their loved princess and how passive their supposedly brave King is being about it, things might get messy... She needs to return as soon as possible."

She is certainly right about the favorable public opinion that the young princess possesses, Charlotte walking outside the balcony of her room and gently waving her hand at the people below was enough to brighten some common folk's day. She has become some sort of icon to the people of Mira, a reminder that innocence and kindness can prevail in times of war... Felicia, on the contrary... You've heard people call her the 'Ice Princess' before... the less creative ones decided to simply stick with calling her 'Bitch Princess', though. Her cold, stuck-up attitude obviously isn't object of devotion.

"I can't argue with that. But... Felicia, why are you here?" You concisely ask.

"I told you. I need your help." She looks back at you over her shoulder, moonlight entering through the open window and reflecting on her pale skin. "You are going to help me find Charlotte."

You curiously raise an eyebrow. "...You have some kind of plan?"

"I do, actually." Felicia nods her head, moving in front of you again and resting her hands over her hips, her heeled boots clicking against the wooden floorboards below. "I spoke with Captain Garret before coming here. He is an agreeable man, he will help us skip the lockdown and exit the city. Tonight."

Garret is willing to do that? Huh... This is your chance... But 'us'? She is going to slow you down... "Your parents are not going to be happy about you disappearing."

"I'll leave them a letter." The young woman sighs. "I hate abandoning my mother in a moment like this, but it is for the best..."

You stay silent for a few seconds before standing up from the bed you were sitting on, towering over the princess. "Felicia, I should actually do this alone, it will be more efficient. Thanks for talking with Garret. I promise I will do everything I can to-"

"No. End of the discussion." She firmly says, crossing her arms and keeping her chin up, blue eyes defiantly looking at yours. "I'm going too."

It was worth a try... "It is going to be dangerous. Are you sure you are prepared?"

"Yes." She simply grunts, resting her hand over the expensive sword dangling from her hip.

"...Do you even know how to use that thing...?"

Felicia rolls her eyes. "For your information, I'm perfectly capable of swinging a sword, Arthur. I'm fairly good at it, actually."

"I see." You scratch the back of your neck, waiting a few moments before opening your mouth to speak again. "Well, have you ever slept in a tent? You know bugs can enter and bite you, right...? It's very scary."

"Listen." The deeply offended young princess grits her teeth and scowls, taking a step forward and sternly pointing her finger at you. "I'm not a child nor a defenseless maiden you have to protect. Nothing you say is going to change my mind, so you should stop trying to get rid of me and start-"

"Wait a minute, I hear something." You suddenly whisper, your hand quickly moving to cover the girl's mouth mid-talk. Now she is absolutely fuming with anger, but decides to stay silent... By the other side of the closed door of the room, you can notice a soft rustling sound accompanied by gentle breathing. Someone is spying...

You carefully start moving towards the door, resting your hand over the handle and looking back at the princess. She slowly nods, firmly gripping her sword, frown still on her face...